Apparatus, systems and methods for a media device pre-operation

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods are operable to perform pre-operations at a media device in anticipation of an occurrence of a user action. An exemplary embodiment receives an in-use signal from an electronic device that is remotely proximate to the media device, wherein the received in-use signal corresponds to a user interaction with the electronic device; and performs the pre-operation at the media device. The pre-operation is performed prior to receiving an initial user action configured to operate at least one of the media device and a media presentation device coupled to the media device.

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application is a Continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.14/118,431, filed Nov. 18, 2013, published as U.S. Publication No.2014/0090006, and entitled “APPARATUS, SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR A MEDIADEVICE PRE-OPERATION,” which is a §371 National Stage Application ofInternational Application No. PCT/UA2011/000038, filed May 19, 2011, andentitled “APPARATUS, SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR A MEDIA DEVICEPRE-OPERATION.” Accordingly, the present application claims priority toand the benefit of the filing date of International Application No.PCT/UA2011/000038, in which both are incorporated herein by reference intheir entirety.

BACKGROUND

Media devices, such as a set top box, are configured to present mediacontent of interest on a media presentation device, such as a televisionor the like. However, if the media device and/or the media presentationdevice are not in active use, there may be some discernible delay fromthe time the user initiates activity on the media device and the timethat the media device becomes responsive. Accordingly, there is a needin the arts to provide a quicker responding media device.

SUMMARY

Systems and methods of performing pre-operations at a media device inanticipation of an occurrence of a user action are disclosed. Anexemplary embodiment receives an in-use signal from an electronic devicethat is remotely proximate to the media device, wherein the receivedin-use signal corresponds to a user interaction with the electronicdevice; and performs a pre-operation at the media device, wherein thepre-operation is performed prior to receiving an initial user actionconfigured to operate at least one of the media device and a mediapresentation device coupled to the media device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred and alternative embodiments are described in detail below withreference to the following drawings:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a pre-operation systemimplemented in a media device and a plurality of exemplary electronicdevices; and

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an embodiment of an exemplary media deviceand an exemplary electronic device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a pre-operation system 100implemented in a media device 102, such as, but not limited to, a settop box (STB). Embodiments of the pre-operation system 100 may beimplemented in other media devices, such as, but not limited to, astereo, a surround-sound receiver, a radio, a television (TV), a digitalvideo disc (DVD) player, a digital video recorder (DVR), a game playingdevice, or a personal computer (PC) that is configured to receivecommunications from a remote control 106 a. Embodiments of thepre-operation system 100 may be implemented in one or more electronicdevices 106.

Embodiments of the pre-operation system 100 are configured to learn andto predict at least one operation that is expected to be performed by auser based upon a user history of prior operations (e.g., initial useractions) performed by the media device 102 and/or its attendant mediapresentation device 104. Embodiments of the pre-operation system 100receive an in-use signal from an electronic device 106 that is in remoteproximity to the media device 102. The in-use signal corresponds to aninteraction between the electronic device 106 and the user. Based on thereceived in-use signal, embodiments of the pre-operation system 100 areconfigured to predict that in the near future the user will be operatingthe media device 102. Embodiments then cause the media device 102 toperform at least one pre-operation in anticipation that the user will beusing the media device 102 in the relatively near future. That is,embodiments are configured to predict that one or more initial useractions will likely occur in the near term based upon receiving thein-use signal from the electronic device 106.

For example, the user may be operating the other electronic device 106to perform a function related to the electronic device 106. Theelectronic device 106 communicates the in-use signal to the media device102. In response to receiving the in-use signal, the media device 102then performs one or more pre-operations in anticipation of the expectedinitial user actions. Accordingly, if the initial user action isreceived within a predefined duration after receiving the in-use signalfrom the electronic device 106, then the media device 102, and/or amedia presentation device 104 controlled by the media device 102, areconfigured to more quickly respond to the occurrence of the initial useraction.

In an exemplary embodiment, the media device 102 and the electronicdevices 106 are located at a customer premises, such as a residence,office, or the like. Accordingly, the electronic devices 106 are inremote proximity to the media device 102. Here, remote proximity is somedistance between the electronic device 106 and the media device 102.That is, the electronic device 106 is remote from the media device 102,yet is not so far away from the media device 102 that the user will notlikely be operating the media device 102 and/or the media presentationdevice 104 shortly thereafter. That is, when an interaction between theuser and the electronic device 106 occurs, within some predefinedduration, there is a likelihood that the user will be operating themedia device 102 and/or the media presentation device 104.

In an exemplary application, the media device 102 is illustrated asbeing communicatively coupled to a media presentation device 104, suchas a video presentation device, a sound presentation device, or acombination thereof. Non-limiting examples of the media presentationdevice 104 include televisions, monitors, stereos, surround-soundreceivers, or the like that are configured to present media contentreceived in a media content stream 108. In some embodiments, the mediadevice 102 and the media presentation device 104 may be integratedtogether into a single electronic device.

In an example operating situation, the media device 102 may be in apowered-down mode, a sleep mode, or the like, prior to use by the user.If the user otherwise begins to use the media device 102, a discernibleamount of time may be required for the media device 102 and/or itsattendant media presentation device 104 to present media content to theuser. That is, some amount of time may be required for variouscomponents in the media device 102 and/or its attendant mediapresentation device 104 to become operational. Alternatively, oradditionally, some amount of time may be required for the media device102 to acquire various types of content, such as electronic programguide (EPG) information or content available on a particular channelthat the user typically views.

However, embodiments receive the in-use signal from at least oneelectronic device 106 before the user initially operates the mediadevice 102 and/or its attendant media presentation device 104. Uponreceiving the in-use signal from the electronic device 106, embodimentsof the pre-operation system 100 cause the controlled media device 102 toperform one or more pre-operations. For example, but not limited to, themedia device 102 and/or its attendant media presentation device 104 maypower up (e.g., providing power) one or more of its components so thatthe powered components are operational when the user begins to operatethe media device 102 and/or its attendant media presentation device 104.Alternatively, or additionally, the media device 102 may tune itself toa particular channel that the user often views after they begin tooperate the media device 102 and/or its attendant media presentationdevice 104. As another non-limiting example of a pre-operation, themedia device 102 may acquire EPG information and/or EPG updates so thatwhen the user begins to operate the media device 102, a current andcomplete set of EPG information is available. Alternatively, oradditionally, the media device 102 may pre-operate itself and/or themedia presentation device 104 to change the volume output value (volumelevel) of the output audio portion of the media content to a learnedlevel.

The non-limiting exemplary media device 102 comprises a processor system110, a memory 112, an optional remote interface 114, and an optionalelectronic device interface 116. The memory 112 comprises portions forstoring the media device logic 118, the pre-operation logic 120, and theuser habit history 122. In some embodiments, the media device logic 118and the pre-operation logic 120 may be integrated together, and/or maybe integrated with other logic. In other embodiments, some or all ofthese memory and other data manipulation functions may be provided byand using remote server or other electronic devices suitably connectedvia the Internet or otherwise to a client device. Other media devices102 may include some, or may omit some, of the above-described mediaprocessing components. Further, additional components not describedherein may be included in alternative embodiments.

An exemplary media device 102 includes the remote interface 114 that isconfigured to receive wireless signals from a remote control 106 a. Theuser, by actuating one or more of the controllers 124 on the surface ofthe remote control 106 a, may operate the media device 102 and/or itsattendant media presentation device 104 to present media content.Accordingly, a wireless in-use signal communicated from the remotecontrol 106 a is generated in response to actuation of one of aplurality of controllers 124 of the remote control 106 a. The receiptof, and processing of, the received wireless in-use signal is performedby the processor system 110 under the management of the media devicelogic 118.

An exemplary embodiment of the pre-operation system 100 may “learn” thatwhen the remote control 106 a is picked up by the user, it is verylikely that the user will begin operation of the media device 102.Accordingly, upon receiving the in-use signal from the remote control106 a corresponding to an initial movement of the remote control 106 a,the media device 102 may perform one or more pre-operations.

For example, but not limited to, the media device 102 may pre-tuneitself to a channel frequently watched by the user in response toreceiving the in-use signal from the remote control 106 a. The mediadevice 102 may then begin to receive and process the media content ofthe pre-tuned channel. The pre-tuning, and the processing of the mediacontent, is performed by the processor system 110 under the managementof the media device logic 118 using instructions determined under themanagement of the pre-operation logic 120. In the event that the userbegins to operate the media device 102 and/or its attendant mediapresentation device 104 to view media content, and in the further eventthat the user selects the pre-tuned channel, then the media content ofthe pre-tuned channel is already being received and processed by themedia device 102, and therefore, is more rapidly available forpresentation.

Some embodiments of the remote control 106 a may contain a device (notshown) that senses motion of the remote control 106 a. For example, oneor more micro-electro-mechanical (MEM) accelerometers and/or gyroscopesmay reside in the remote control 106 a to sense movement of the remotecontrol 106 a. When the user initially picks up the remote control 106a, the movement is detected and an in-use signal is sent from the remotecontrol 106 a to the media device 102. In response to receiving thein-use signal, the media device performs the one or more pre-operationsin anticipation of further use of the remote control 106 a by the userto operate the media device 102 and/or its attendant media presentationdevice 104.

Alternatively, or additionally, the user may first actuate one of thecontrollers 124 of the remote control 106 a to generate a first usercommand that is communicated from the remote control 106 a to the mediadevice 102 in a wireless signal. For example, the user may operate theremote control 106 a to turn on the media presentation device 104. Inresponse to receiving the first user command from the remote control 106a, and in addition to turning on the media presentation device 104, themedia device 102 may also perform one or more pre-operations, such astuning to a particular channel, setting a volume level, or the like.

In the various embodiments, the processor system 110, under managementof the pre-operation logic 120, monitors a plurality of initialoperations of the media device 102 and/or its attendant mediapresentation device 104 when user commands are received from the remotecontrol 106 a. After some number of initial operations are performed bythe media device 102 and/or its attendant media presentation device 104in response to commands received from the remote control 106 a, themedia device 102 may “learn” about one or more particular initialoperations that the media device 102 will likely perform when the userbegins to use the remote control 106 a.

The learning process may be generally summarized as receiving a priorin-use signal from the electronic device 106 that that is sent inresponse to the user interaction with the electronic device 106. Then,the prior in-use signal is associated with a subsequent initial useraction configured to operate the at least one of the media device 102and/or the media presentation device 104, wherein the subsequent initialuser action is received within a predefined learning duration afterreceiving the in-use signal. After a plurality of associations betweenthe prior in-use signal and the subsequent initial user action have beenstored in the user habit history 122, embodiments then learn thatreceiving a subsequent in-use signal from the electronic device 106 isexpected to be followed by the initial user action. The “learning” mayoccur using any suitable learning process.

In the various embodiments, the subsequent initial user action mustoccur within the learning duration of receiving the in-use signal. Ifthe subsequent initial user action is received within the learningduration, the association is saved into the user habit history 122. Ifthe subsequent initial user action is not received within the learningduration, the association is not saved into the user habit history 122.For example, if the learning duration is fifteen minutes and thesubsequent initial user action is received within ten minutes ofreceiving the in-use signal, it is likely that in future situations, theuser will perform the same subsequent initial user action aftergeneration of the in-use signal. In contrast, if the subsequent initialuser action is received two hours after receiving the in-use signal, itis not very likely that in future situations, the user will perform thesame subsequent initial user action after generation of the in-usesignal. Accordingly, this particular association would not be saved intothe user habit history 122. Any suitable learning duration may be used.The learning duration may be predefined, or may be user defined, in thevarious embodiments.

The processor system 110, under the management of the pre-operationlogic 120, tracks initial user operations performed by the media device102 and/or its attendant media presentation device 104. Informationcorresponding to the plurality of tracked initial user operations issaved into the user habit history 122. After some amount of time, and/orafter some number of initial operations, the user habit history 122 willbecome populated with sufficient information pertaining to initial useractions so as to enable a prediction algorithm of the pre-operationlogic 120 to determine likely initial user operations of the mediadevice 102 and/or its attendant media presentation device 104.

After a sufficient number of received in-use signals and associatedinitial user actions are acquired to populate the user habit history122, embodiments may perform various statistical analyses processes topredict user habits that indicate an expected operation of the mediadevice 102 and/or its attendant media presentation device 104. Anysuitable statistical analysis or prediction algorithm, methodology, orprocess may be used by the various embodiments of the pre-operationsystem 100 to “learn” to predict and/or to anticipate one or more likelyinitial user operations.

The information corresponding to prior user actions, or habits, may bestored in the user habit history 122 portion of memory 112 using anysuitable database system. In an exemplary embodiment, a relationaldatabase is developed that relates user actions, operations of the mediadevice 102, time and/or date of the media device operations, and/or thesource of the in-use signal (e.g., the particular one of the electronicdevices 106 that detects its own user action). In some embodiments, theuser habit history 122 may reside in another memory medium. The othermemory medium may be a component of the media device 102, or may be anexternal memory medium.

Further, other factors may also be included in the “learning” process.In an exemplary embodiment, time of day may be considered when learningto anticipate the user's actions. Further, the day and/or the date maybe considered. Embodiments may define a time of day window (duration)that is around a defined time of day. In an exemplary embodiment, thetime that defines the time of day window corresponds to the time of theuser interaction with the electronic device 106. Alternatively, the timethat defines the time of day window corresponds to the time of thesubsequent initial user action. In an exemplary embodiment, the time isbased on an average time of the prior occurrences of the initial userinteraction with the electronic device 106. Then, if the in-use signalcorresponding to the user interaction with the electronic device 106 isreceived within the predefined time associated with the time of daywindow, then the pre-operation is performed by the media device 102. Anysuitable duration associated with time of day window may be used, suchas several minutes, a portion or an hour, an hour, or the like.

For example, but not limited to, the user may come home on weekdaynights (Monday-Friday) at approximately 5:30 p.m., and may then watchthe 6:00 p.m. news on a particular news channel. If the time associatedwith the time of day window is 5:30 p.pm, and the time of day durationis a half hour on either side of the time, then the pre-operation at themedia device 102 is enabled if the user interaction with the electronicdevice 106 occurs at any time between 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.Accordingly, if the in-use signal is received at 5:58 p.m., the mediadevice 102 performs the one or more pre-operations.

As another example, movement of the remote control 106 a may correspondto a high likelihood that the user will begin operation of the mediadevice 102 and/or its attendant media presentation device 104 to watchmedia content. Embodiments then correlate the time of day with thein-use signal from the remote control 106 a. Accordingly, the mediadevice 102 may initiate one or more power up operations so thatcomponents of the media device 102 and/or its attendant mediapresentation device 104 become more rapidly operational. The power upoperations are performed by the processor system 110 under themanagement of the media device logic 118, wherein instructionsdetermined under the management of the pre-operation logic 120 initiatethe power up process.

Alternatively, or additionally, movement of the remote control 106 a maycorrespond to a high likelihood that the media device 102 and/or itsattendant media presentation device 104 will be operated to presentmedia content to watch the 6:00 p.m. news on the particular newschannel. The likelihood of a particular initial user action may becomeeven greater based on the current time and the current day that thein-use signal from the remote control 106 a is received. For example, ifthe user picks up the remote control 106 a at approximately 5:45 p.m. onTuesday, the media device 102 may pre-tune itself to the news channelthat the user typically views at 6:00 p.m. on weekdays. In contrast, ifthe user picks up the remote control 106 a at approximately 5:45 p.m. onSaturday, the media device 102 will not pre-tune itself to the newschannel. The process of pre-tuning to the news channel and processingthe news broadcast is performed by the processor system 110 under themanagement of the media device logic 118, wherein instructionsdetermined under the management of the pre-operation logic 120 definethe channel that is to be pre-tuned to.

As yet another example, if the user picks up the remote control 106 alate at night, the output volume level of the media device 102 and/orits attendant media presentation device 104 may be set to a relativelylow level. In this example, embodiments of the pre-operation system 100may have learned that media content presented late at night is presentedat a relatively lower volume so the other members of the household orneighbors will not be disturbed when the user begins to watch mediacontent. In contrast, if the user picks up the remote control 106 a atapproximately 5:45 p.m., the media device 102 will not adjust volume tothe predefined level, or may adjust volume to a different predefinedlevel. Control of the volume levels are performed by the processorsystem 110 under the management of the media device logic 118, whereininstructions determined under the management of the pre-operation logic120 specify the volume level at times when the user initially begins tooperate the media device 102 and/or its attendant media presentationdevice 104 late at night.

Other types of electronic devices 106 may be configured to provide anin-use signal to the media device 102 so that the media device 102 mayinitiate one or more pre-operations on the media device 102 and/or itsattendant media presentation device 104. Such other electronic devices106 may be communicatively coupled to the media device 102 via asuitable communication network 128. The electronic device interface 116of the media device 102 is configured to communicatively couple to thevarious electron devices 102, via the communication network 128.

In some embodiments, the communication network 128 may be a wire-basednetwork between the media device 102 and one or more electronic devices106. The wire-based communication network 128 may be a dedicatednetwork, or even a single wire connector, that is used exclusively tocommunicate the in-use signal from the electronic device 106 to themedia device 102. Alternatively, or additionally, the wire-basedcommunication network 128 may be a multipurpose wire-based network, suchas an Ethernet system, a local area network (TAN), or a power linecarrier system.

Alternatively, or additionally, the communication network 128 may employa wireless medium, such as a radio frequency (RF) medium and/or aninfrared (IR) medium. Accordingly, the electronic device interface 116may comprise a suitable wireless receiver or transceiver configured toreceive wireless in-use signals from one or more of the other electronicdevices 106.

An example of an electronic device 106 is a light switch 106 b. In anexemplary embodiment, one or more light switches 106 b may be atlocations where the user is entering their residence or a particularroom. When the user actuates the light switch 106 b to turn on (or turnoff) a light, an in-use signal is sent from the light switch 106 b tothe media device 102 indicating that the controlled light has beenturned on or turned off. For example, but not limited to, the user maydrive into their garage and turn on a garage light after returning homefrom work at night. Or, the user may turn off the garage light whenexiting the garage. In response to receiving the in-use signal from thelight switch 106 b, the media device 102 may perform one or morepre-operations. For example, the media device 102 may perform apre-operation to turn on the media presentation device 104 and/or topre-tune to the channel that the user typically watches after returninghome from work in the evening.

Another non-limiting example of an electronic device 106 is a securitysystem 106 c. The security system 106 c comprises at least one controlkey pad 130 and a plurality of sensing devices, such as the exemplarymotion detector 132 and/or a door position sensor 134. When the securitysystem 106 c detects an occurrence of an event, such as detecting of thepresence of the user, an in-use signal is sent from the security system106 c to the media device 102. Accordingly, the media device 102 mayperform one or more pre-operations in response to receiving the in-usesignal form the security system 106 c and/or from the particular sensingdevice. For example, the control key pad 130 may sense a security input(presumably from the authorized user). Alternatively, or additionally,the motion detector 132 may sense motion (presumably of the user) in aparticular room or other location. Alternatively, or additionally, thedoor sensor may sense the user opening a particular door, such as a doorof the media room where the media device 102 is located. In thesevarious situations, an in-use signal is sent to the media device 102 sothat the media device 102 may perform one or more pre-operations.

Another example of an electronic device 106 is a personal computer 106d. When the user operates the personal computer 106 d, an in-use signalis sent from the personal computer 106 d to the media device 102indicating that the user is using the personal computer 106 d. Forexample, but not limited to, the user may be checking their e-mail afterreturning home from work. Accordingly, the media device 102 may performone or more pre-operations. For example, the media device 102 mayperform a pre-operation to turn on the media presentation device 104and/or to pre-tune to the channel that the user typically watches afterreturning home and checking their e-mail in the evening.

Another example of an electronic device 106 is a garage door system 106e. When the user operates the garage door system 106 e, an in-use signalis sent from the garage door system 106 e (or the garage door remotecontrol 136) to the media device 102 indicating that the garage has beenentered. For example, but not limited to, the user may drive into theirgarage after returning home from work at night. Accordingly, the mediadevice 102 may perform one or more pre-operations. For example, themedia device 102 may perform a pre-operation to turn on the mediapresentation device 104 and/or to pre-tune to the channel that the usertypically watches after returning home from work in the evening.

Another exemplary example of an electronic device 106 is a refrigerator106 f. When the user opens the door of the refrigerator 106 f to get asnack or the like, an in-use signal is sent from the refrigerator 106 f(or the detector 138 that senses that the internal refrigerator light ison, or the door sensor 140 that senses the door opening) to the mediadevice 102 indicating entry into the refrigerator. Accordingly, themedia device 102 may perform one or more pre-operations. For example,the media device 102 may perform a pre-operation to turn on the mediapresentation device 104 and/or to pre-tune to the channel that the usertypically watches after getting a snack and/or beverage from therefrigerator 106 f.

One or more other generic electronic devices 106 g may becommunicatively coupled to the media device 102. These genericelectronic devices 106 g detect the presence of the user or an action bythe user, and then send an in-use signal to the media device 102. Basedon one or more learned factors, the media device may then perform one ormore pre-operations in anticipation that the user will be operating themedia device 102 and/or its attendant media presentation device 104 inthe near future.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an embodiment of an exemplary electronicdevice 106. The non-limiting exemplary electronic device 106 comprisesan optional detector 202 and a media device interface 204. Someembodiments may further comprise a processor system 206 and a memory208. The memory 208 comprises portions for storing the device logic 210and the user detection logic 212. In some embodiments, the device logic210 and the user detection logic 212 may be integrated together, and/ormay be integrated with other logic. In other embodiments, some or all ofthese memory and other data manipulation functions may be provided byand using remote server or other electronic devices suitably connectedvia the Internet or otherwise to a client device. Other media devicesmay include some, or may omit some, of the above-described mediaprocessing components. Further, additional components not describedherein may be included in alternative embodiments.

Some embodiments of the electronic device 106 may be very simple devicesand/or may be subcomponents of other systems that perform variousfunctions that are not related to the functionality of the media device102. For example, the exemplary motion detector 132 (FIG. 1) may beconfigured to generate an in-use signal that is communicated to themedia device 102. The in-use signal may be generated by the detector202, and may then be communicated to the media device via the mediadevice interface 204. Alternatively, the in-use signal may becommunicated to another device, such as the exemplary security system106 c, wherein a corresponding in-use signal is then sent from the otherdevice to the media device 102.

In some situations, an output signal emitted from the electronic device106 is not related to the function of providing the in-use signal to themedia device 102. For example, the output signal emitted from theexemplary motion detector 132 may be intended for the exemplary securitysystem 106 c. However, if the output signal from the exemplary motiondetector 132 is also communicated to the media device 102 as the in-usesignal, then the media device 102 may perform one or more pre-operationsin anticipation of the expected initial user actions.

Some electronic devices 106 may be relatively complex electricaldevices, and/or may be part of other systems, that perform some functionthat is not related to the functionality of the media device 102. Suchcomplex system may include their own processor system 206 and memory208. The processor system 206, under the management of the userdetection logic 212, may communicate the in-use signal to the mediadevice 102. Thus, some operations performed by the complex electronicdevice 106 may be used to generate the in-use signal, while otheroperations may not be used to generate the in-use signal that iscommunicated to the media device 102.

For example, the personal computer 106 d has its own processor system206 and memory 208. The processor system 206, under management of thedevice logic 210, may perform various operations and functions that arenot related to the functionality of the media device 102. However, someoperations and/or functions may be determined to be of the type forwhich the in-use signal should be communicated to the media device 102.

As noted above, some electronic devices 106 may not include the detector202. For example, the personal computer 106 d may not include a detector202. Rather, the user detection logic 212 may be configured to monitoroperations of the personal computer 106 d, and in response to detectingoperation of the personal computer 106 d, then communicate the in-usesignal to the media device 102 so that the media device 102 may performone or more pre-operations in anticipation of the expected initial useractions.

Any suitable home appliance may be configured to generate an in-usesignal that is communicated to the media device 102. The in-use signalwould be generated and communicated in response to the occurrence and/ordetection of a user action.

In some embodiments, if the initial user action is not received withinthe predefined in-use duration after receiving the in-use signal fromthe electronic device 106, the media device 102 and/or the mediapresentation device 104 may remain configured in accordance with thepre-operation performed at the media device 102. Alternatively, themedia device 102 and/or the media presentation device 104 bereconfigured based on a different set of pre-operations.

It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments of thepre-operation system 100 are merely possible examples of implementationsof the invention. Many variations and modifications may be made to theabove-described embodiments. All such modifications and variations areintended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure andprotected by the following claims.

1. A method of performing pre-operations at a media device inanticipation of an occurrence of an initial user action to operate themedia device that is controllable by a remote control and that isconfigured to receive an in use signal from an electronic device, themethod comprising: receiving, at the media device, the in-use signalfrom the electronic device that is remote from the media device, whereinthe received in-use signal corresponds to a user interaction with theelectronic device; and performing a pre-operation at the media device inresponse to receiving the in-use signal from the electronic device,wherein the pre-operation is performed prior to receiving the initialuser action configured to operate at least one of the media device and amedia presentation device coupled to the media device, and wherein themedia device becomes operable to respond to the initial user action tooperate the media device.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein afterperforming the pre-operation, the method further comprising:; receivinga signal from the remote control, wherein the signal communicated fromthe remote control is generated in response to actuation of one of aplurality of controllers of the remote control by a user.
 3. The methodof claim 1, wherein the electronic device is a security system, andwherein receiving the in-use signal comprises: receiving the in-usesignal from the security system, wherein the in-use signal communicatedfrom the security system is generated in response to an entry of asecurity input on a control key pad of the security system.
 4. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the electronic device is a security system,and wherein receiving the in-use signal comprises: receiving the in-usesignal from the security system, wherein the in-use signal communicatedfrom the security system is generated in response to a detection of apresence of a user.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the electronicdevice is a garage door system, and wherein receiving the in-use signalcomprises: receiving the in-use signal from the garage door system,wherein the in-use signal communicated from the garage door system isgenerated in response to actuation of the garage door system open agarage door.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the electronic device isa refrigerator, and wherein receiving the in-use signal comprises:receiving the in-use signal from the refrigerator, wherein the in-usesignal communicated from the refrigerator is generated in response to auser opening a door of the refrigerator.
 7. The method of claim 1,wherein the electronic device is a personal computer, and whereinreceiving the in-use signal comprises: receiving the in-use signal fromthe personal computer, wherein the in-use signal communicated from thepersonal computer is generated in response to a uses-operating thepersonal computer.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein prior to receivingthe in-use signal from the electronic device, the method comprising:receiving a prior in-use signal from the electronic device correspondingto the user interaction with the electronic device; and associating theprior in-use signal with a subsequent initial user action, wherein thesubsequent initial user action is the same as the initial user action.9. The method of claim 8, wherein the receiving and me associatingcomprises: receiving the prior in-use signal and associating the priorin-use signal with the subsequent initial user action a plurality oftimes; storing the plurality of the associations each of the pluralityof times; and learning that receiving the in-use signal from theelectronic device is expected to be followed by the initial user action,10. The method of claim 8, wherein the initial user action is receivedwithin a predefined learning duration after receiving the prior in-usesignal.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein a time of day is associatedwith the user interaction with the electronic device, and wherein thepre-operation is performed at the media device in response to theinitial user action occurring within a time of day window about the timeof day.
 12. The method of claim 1, wherein performing the pre-operationat the media device comprises: providing power to at least one componentof the at least one of the media device and the media presentationdevice, wherein the at least one powered component is operational whenthe initial, user action occurs.
 13. The method of claim 1, whereinperforming the pre-operation at the media device comprises: tuning themedia device to a channel associated with the initial user action. 14.The method of claim 1, wherein performing the pre-operation at the mediadevice comprises: changing a volume output value of the at least one ofthe media device and the media presentation device.
 15. A media deviceconfigured to communicatively couple to an electronic device,comprising: an electronic device interface configured to receive anin-use signal from the electronic device that is remote from the mediadevice, wherein the received in-use signal corresponds to a userinteraction with the electronic device; a remote interface configured toreceive wireless signals from a remote control; and a processor systemconfigured to perform at least one pre-operation of at least one of themedia device and a media presentation device coupled to the media devicein response to receiving the in-use signal from the electronic device,wherein the at least one pre-operation is performed prior to receivingan initial user action to operate one of the media device and the mediapresentation device, wherein the initial user action is received in awireless signal received, from the remote control within a predefinedduration after the in-use signal is received from the electronic device.16. The media device of claim 15, wherein the electronic devicecommunicating the in-use signal comprises at least one selected from agroup consisting of a security system, a garage door system, arefrigerator, and a personal computer, wherein the in-use signalcommunicated from the security system is generated in response to atleast one of an entry of a security input on a control key pad of thesecurity system and a detection of a presence of a user, wherein thein-use signal communicated from the garage door system is generated inresponse to actuation of the garage door system to open a garage door,wherein the in-use signal communicated from the personal computer isgenerated in response to a user operating the personal computer, andwherein the in-use signal communicated from the personal computer isgenerated in response to a user operating the personal computer.
 17. Themedia device of claim 15, wherein the electronic device interface isconfigured to communicatively couple the media device to a communicationnetwork, and wherein the in-use signal from the electronic device isreceived via the communication network.
 18. A method of performingpre-operations at a media device, wherein the media device is configuredto respond to wireless signals communicated from a remote control thatis operated by a user, and wherein the pre-operations axe performed bythe media device in anticipation of an occurrence of use of at least oneof the media device and a media presentation device coupled to the mediadevice, the method comprising: receiving over time a plurality of in-usesignals from an electronic device, wherein the plurality of in-usesignals are communicated from the electronic device to the media devicein response to a user interaction with the electronic device; receiving,after receiving each one of the plurality of in-use signals, an initialuser action in a signal received from the remote control, wherein theinitial user action is configured to operate at least one of the mediadevice and the media presentation device coupled to the media device;associating the in-use signal with the initial user action; storing theplurality of the associations; and learning that receiving the in-usesignal from the electronic device is expected to be followed by theinitial user action based on the stored plurality of associations. 19.The method of claim 18, wherein storing the plurality of theassociations further comprises: storing the plurality of theassociations only when the initial user action is received within alearning duration.
 20. The method of claim 18, wherein after thelearning, the method further comprising: receiving a subsequent in-usesignal from the electronic device, wherein the received subsequentin-use signal corresponds to the user interaction with the electronicdevice; and performing a pre-operation at the media device, wherein thepre-operation is performed prior to receiving the initial user actionfrom the remote control.